KidsAbility presented a plaque to the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora on Sept. 12, expressing appreciation for club donations totaling approximately $125,000 since 2000.
The money has helped improve services for children with special needs in Wellington County, funding projects such as the opening of a Fergus KidsAbility office, which has increased accessibility for rural patrons who previously had to drive to Guelph.
Today the Rotary Club continues to help fund the cost of renting the facility.
Lisa Talbot, executive director of the KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, says the generosity of the Rotary Club in helping fund an office for Centre Wellington has been invaluable to the community.
“Families are very grateful that they have less travel time to deal with, especially during the winter months,” said Talbot.
“Last year we helped around 142 children at our Fergus site, so they’re helping hundreds of kids each year to be able to access our services close to home.”
Fergus-Elora club president Bob Wright, noting the Rotary mandate of “service above self,” said the club has been happy to help KidsAbility.
“I joined for the fellowship and camaraderie and a desire to do something for the greater good,” he said.
The KidsAbility office in Fergus “has been a very successful addition to the community, making it much easier for parents and their children to access early child learning programs,” said Wright.
Talbot said renovations currently being completed at the Fergus location will hopefully be finished this fall.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has 52 members who take time away from their day jobs to help improve the community in which they live.
All the money raised during regular activities – including monthly Bingo, spring fling and beef on a bun events – is donated to support both local and international projects.
“Rotarians are incredible about rallying behind their community and I think our community would look much different if we didn’t have the support that we do from the Rotary and other service clubs,” said Talbot.
“When they see a need, they figure out a way to address it and help improve the lives of citizens. So we’re very lucky to have their support.”
Some other projects the Rotary club has supported in the community include Groves hospital, the Fergus Sportsplex and the new accessible playgrounds in Centre Wellington.
“KidsAbility helps over 5,800 kids per year with special needs and we certainly don’t do that without support from our local community and donations certainly help us get more kids through the door. We have 900 kids on our waiting list across all of our sites,” said Talbot.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora will be hosting its annual beef on a bun fundraiser at the Fergus Legion on Sept. 30 starting at noon.
